Run, Walk, Swim: Callan Park’s Tidal Baths Will Officially Open In 2026

After years of community consultation, environmental assessment and planning scrutiny, the Inner West Local Planning Panel gave final planning approval for the Callan Park Tidal Baths in a statement released on the Inner West Council website on February 17 2026, meaning the project now moves full steam ahead toward construction.

This won’t be just a spot to dip, it’s a purpose-built tidal swim facility with:

• Accessible pathways and ramps to water entry
• A generous fixed jetty
• A pontoon for floating and access
• Shark net protection in the swim area

Image Credit Mike Higginbottom

The whole setup is designed for everyday use by local joggers, walkers, families and water lovers along Sydney’s Bay Run. Construction officially kicks off in June 2026, with the opening slated for summer 2026-27

That means Sydneysiders could be dipping in by late 2026, just in time for warmer weather.

The baths are jointly financed by the NSW Government and Inner West Council, reinforcing a shared investment in public recreation and waterfront activation.

Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne stressed this is more than a swim spot—it’s a free, local hangout for residents to cool off on summer days and a complementary asset to the popular Bay Run. He noted the thorough assessment process and said the facility will benefit “many thousands of Sydneysiders each year.”

“We’re now one step closer to having a local, free swim spot to take a dip on those hot summer days which is great news for the Inner West community.

“The Callan Park Tidal Baths will be a spectacular addition to the Bay Run, which is already one of the best used recreation facilities in Sydney.”

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Image Credit: Inner West Council

Callan Park isn’t just a pretty patch of greenery by the water, it’s a site packed with history and beauty. Established in 1878 as the Callan Park Hospital for the Insane, the sprawling sandstone buildings and landscaped grounds were originally designed for mental health care. Over the decades, much of the site has been repurposed for arts, education, recreation, and community events, including walking, cycling, and riverfront activities along the Bay Run.

Today, Callan Park is a beloved and fiercely protected Inner West green space, combining heritage architecture, open parklands, and now, soon, a tidal swimming spot.

Image Credit: Inner West Council

If the idea of a harbour dip has your inner germaphobe clutching their hand sanitiser, take a breath. The Callan Park Tidal Baths are being designed with water quality and swimmer safety front of mind, including shark netting and infrastructure that allows tidal flow to naturally flush the swim area. Plus, the baths form part of the broader clean-up of the Parramatta River, which has seen years of rehabilitation work to make spots like this safer for recreation. In short, it’s less “mystery soup”, more monitored splash zone.

Long story short, approvals are in, funding is lined up, construction is imminent—and by summer 2026–27, Callan Park will have its own tidal baths ready for the plunge.

Main Image Credit: Inner West Council